Tim Tebow Gets $33 Million... Wait a Minute

So Pro Football Talk reported that Tim Tebow has signed his contract and will report to the Broncos on Friday. All is well. Here is the details of the contract:

The Broncos signed the No. 25 overall pick to a contract with a base package of $11.25 million, and an "absolute maximum" of $33 million.

Rumor is that Tebow will have to make the playoffs, Pro Bowl, and Super Bowl to hit 9 of the $33 million. Another $24 million if he becomes a full time starting contract. A lot of if's here....

When its all said and done it looks like the deal isn't that bad. And considering how incentive heavy the deal is the Broncos know what we all know... this guy could easily flame out in 3 years. In fact I'd say the odds are actually on him not succeeding. As a Broncos fan I still don't like the pick from a football point of view, or do I like all these BroncoGator's running around. But if the contact is any indication, I might not have anything to worry about.

Antonio Bryant Gives Terrell Owens #81

And like that, the first fire in Cincinnati is quietly put out.

Of course the network tried to make a big deal of this on 'First and 10' but Antonio Bryant has shown that he isn't going to feed into the drama. He quietly switched jersey numbers saying "he has a larger legacy than me." That it, no drama, no money exchanged, no dinners, nothing. Just a quick statement and business goes on as usual.

I'm glad that the Bengals have worked this out internally and it didn't become a media spectacle.

All Aboard! Skip Bayless Drives ESPN's Cowboys Bandwagon

I hate to admit it but every morning I check out ESPN's First Take for a few minutes. The show has really gone downhill over the years, with all the guests now agreeing with Skip Bayless or just being quiet and failing to correct his so painful obvious false assumptions and untrue character assassinations. This never seems to fail when they talk football, as Skip never fails to makes a statement so dumb I can only sit back and do my best face palm.

Sometimes its better to just be quiet if you don't know anything about the subject matter Skippo.

Today they unveiled the NFL's Power Rankings with the Colts coming in at #1 overall. Skip and Scoop Jackson then talked about teams they decided to talk about other teams they thought should be higher.

Then it happened. The patent Skip Bayless face palm moment.

"The Cowboys should be #2 on this list!"

Really?! After it seems he agreed with Scoop Jackson that the champion Saints should be ranked #1 since they are returning their same roster. But no, Skippo says that adding Dez Bryant is going to put the Cowboys over the top and into the Super Bowl!

This is just one day after Skip's face palmingly horrid statements (yes, I just created a new word) that he has no problem with Dez Bryant not carrying Roy Williams' pad's during practice. If this was a rookie receiver on any other team in the NFL he'd be jumping out his seat slapping the table "booking it!" that Dez Bryant would tear his team apart by mid-season.

But since Dez Bryant plays for his beloved Cowboys and some other team he is the next coming of Andre Johnson, and not closer to a young Terrell Owens causing riffs with veteran receivers.

Let's not even go down that road as Skip drove the bandwagon that assassinated Terrell Owens' career, slapping tables and popping veins out the side of his neck over every little move that TO made as a member of the Cowboys and beyond.

It really is comical that ESPN gives this guy a platform to speak on a sport he seemingly has no knowledge on beyond his clear bias to America's team. At least it was fun when they had guests who would battle back and correct his biased comments. I just wonder why they've given him the keys to drive the network's Cowboys bandwagon.

The place Skip is truly driving this network is right into the ground.

Sergio Kindle Mysteriously Falls Down Two Flights of Stairs

Sergio Kindle is out for training camp and possibly the whole year after falling down two flights of stairs and fracturing his skull. I am not trying to make light of this as this is a very serious injury, but is there more to the story?

Grown men who aren't athletes don't fall down multiple flights of stairs. You may stumble down a few stairs, sure, but not multiple flights. I just wonder what he was doing when he fell down those flights. It seems as if there is more here that no one is investigating.

If this was Terrell Owens falling down the stairs the speculation would never end. But I guess that Sergio Kindle isn't big enough a story for them, so no investigation.

Get well soon Sergio, and if you were doing something you weren't supposed to do count your blessings that "The Network" hasn't tried to end your career before it starts.

Why Terrell Owens is Going to the Bengals

It still amazes me that this week as NFL camps open, arguably the greatest wide receiver of all time is still looking for a job. TO has found a soft spot to land in reality TV, but that's not what he's known for. The NFL's third place all-time touchdown scorer is known for what he can do on the field.

We would be here all day if I were to talk about all his records. I suggest you look them up yourself.

I know, I know, there is that big matter of what Terrell does off the field as well. He is known as a divisive malcontent for some of the mistakes he made as a member of the 49ers and Eagles. But we all grow up, and I truly believe that TO is as good a person as anyone in the league. The things he said and did earlier in his career came from his intense desire to be the game's best and to let everyone know it. I can't say that I blame him. After all he had to fill Jerry Rice's shoes early in his career.

I could go on and on about Terrell's Eagles stint and his public fights with Donovan McNabb, or the Dallas Cowboys organization scapegoating him to save face for Tony Romo but I won't. We know what happened and its now in the past. Since then Terrell's been almost unrecognizable as a veteran receiver on the Buffalo Bills and a positive figure for the NFL in general.

No arrests, no allegations, no women coming out the woodwork, but some people don't want him on their team? I can't see why a contender wouldn't want to add him. He can still play at a high level and you are not going to find a rookie or midyear player who's going to outwork him period.

That brings us to the Bengals.

Rumors are that the player that the Bengals signed over Terrell Owens, Antonio Bryant, is having knee problems and that the door may be open for TO. Chad Ochocino has publicly lobbied for TO to be signed alongside him, and rumors are that Carson Palmer is working out with TO now as well.

This could be a great signing. Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco are two of the hardest working receivers in the game, and undoubtedly will push each other to grind through the season together. Carson Palmer is the type of quarterback that isn't going to take any shenanigans so there's no need to worry about him pulling a "Romo" or "Garcia". All signs show that the Bengals should return a pretty competitive team that won their division last year and adding TO to the mix is the icing on the cake.

The only question left remaining is who's camera crew gets priority in the locker room? You know they are already planning the TO show: Season 3 but at the same time Chad may need another season to find his Ultimate Catch!

Either way I cannot wait to see the last act of Terrell Owens' legendary football career.

I'm getting my popcorn ready.

Breaking News: Reggie Bush Never Attended USC

Today the University of Southern California decided to further police itself for the NCAA and return their replica of Reggie Bush's 2005 Heisman Trophy as well as remove all photos of him and OJ Mayo. This is odd, considering that the award has not been rescinded and Reggie still has his replica of the trophy.


It seems as if USC is taking a Michigan "Fab Five" approach to this. As far as the school is concerned, Reggie Bush never attened USC.

You never saw this:



or this:



or this:



are we clear?

39 Year Old Penny Hardaway Looking to Make a Comeback

NFL news is at a standstill so instead of writing about Sam Bradford's $45 million I'd rather write about this comedy.

Lil Penny is looking to play a "minimal role" for the Miami Heat this year. The Heat as you all know signed Lebron James and Chris Bosh this summer and are looking for vets to fill the rest of the roster out. Penny made the Heat 3 years ago, true, but a lot can happen in 3 years.

In the video below Penny claims he can still "do this in his sleep" and is ready to play a minimal role. Hmmm..... sounds like a guy looking for a RING.

Harvey Unga Taken in Supplemental Draft

The NFL supplemental draft has passed for this year and only two lucky players were selected. The Bears took Harvey Unga, and the Cowboys took DT Josh Brent-Price.

Both teams took their player in the 7th round.

Why Lebron James’ Decision Was Actually The Right One

Fires are being burned, murals are being torn down, and people are threatening physical violence against a man for his decision. If you knew any better you’d think I was talking about the Oscar Grant decision in Oakland that led to many riots.

But no, not Oakland.

As you already know I am describing the scene in the streets of Cleveland Ohio after Lebron James decided to spurn his home state in hopes of winning multiple championships with Dwayne Wade. Fans are emotional, the owner is spiteful, and everyone in Cleveland is ready to mob their former “King” after seven long years together that culminated in zero NBA titles.

Lebron gave all he could, and at the end of the day it wasn’t enough.

It was terribly clear that Lebron had zero shot at winning multiple championships in Cleveland and he had to leave. In seven years, the best talents that Lebron could get around him were Larry Hughes, Antwaan Jamison, Mo Williams, and a 36 year old Shaquille O’Neal. In that same time Kobe Bryant added Paul Gasol, Dwight Howard added Vince Carter, and Paul Pierce added both Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen.

The hardest decision of Lebron’s life had to be made.

Stay and try to win a title for his home state with minimal talent or leave for greener pastures elsewhere? If he stays and doesn’t win he becomes Kevin Garnett in Minnesota, a perennial All-Star who exits the playoffs early every year. If he leaves for New York, New Jersey, or Chicago and cannot win he becomes Tracy McGrady or Vince Carter, an ultra talented swingman who has nothing to show for the prime of his career.

In the end Lebron decided that it wasn’t worth it to try to be the man on an island. He realized he needed help if he is ever going to hold that big gold basketball over his head. He needed a Ray Allen and a Kevin Garnett, or a Paul Gasol and a Ron Artest/Lamar Odom. The opportunity to step into such a situation for the next four to six years presented itself and Lebron could not pass it up.

It was the best decision for the King.

Wearing the crown is overrated without the rings to match.

In Photos: Lebron's Decision

Here are screenshots of all the major media outlets reporting Lebron's decision.

Lebron Sucessfully Burns Down The Building

I wrote an article a few days back titled, Lebron James: Burning Down the Building On His Way Out in which I talked about just a couple of the ramifications of 'The King's' big decision. Now that it's all said and done and Lebron has decided to join the Superfriends in Miami, fans are chiming in.

We've already had fans publicly burn their #23 swingman jerseys on ESPN. I mean, come on. I wear a L-XL... I would have gladly taken it off your hands.

Anyways check out this post from a frustrated casual fan. As a Bobcat fan who now has to deal with the Superfriends (I refuse to call them the Heat) I can relate to the Pistons analogy.

"I was already wearing thin on the entire league. But I'm officially done. It's a league dominated by teams with superstars. If you don't have one, then you're screwed. The balance is completely lop-sided and I can guarantee that the NBA lost a huge amount of fans tonight; me being one. Why would I ever want to see a Pistons game anymore knowing that they 100% have zero shot at coming away with anything? Or for that case, watch any team other than the Lakers, Celtics, or Heat?

I have never in my entire life seen a league as poorly run as this one. You have 30+ teams and only 2-3 have a legitimate shot at a title. You take away parody and you've lost the entire concept of team sports.

The entire superstar persona of the athletes in the NBA is enough to make me puke. I'm just glad this is over and I'm going on vacation in the middle of nowhere for a week. I would seriously go ape***** if I had to listen to any of this crap in the media this week.

F*** Stern. F*** LeBron. F*** anyhtign that has to do with the NBA. It may as well be the new WWE or WWF....or whatever the hell wrestling leagues are called these days.

I haven't posted on this message board in a while, so don't flame me for starting yet another cry baby thread. It just angers the crap out of me that this egotistical piece of crap is allowed to be bigger than the league itself. The long-term effects of this signing (and the two that coincide) could completely deteriorate the NBA...and it should."

Source: Spawn.con Message Board

Jared Dudley: Lebron Will Be a Knick

In the latest episode of TMZ Live, Suns guard Jared Dudley called in to give his insider opinion on where Lebron will be headed. Mind you, Jared isn't in the James' camp inner circle but he is in the NBA so his opinion holds a little weight.

"What I heard is today is that Lebron already heard from the Knicks and is making his announcement to go to New York tomorrow."

While that statement in interesting, whats more interesting is this little nugget Jared dropped.

"His press conference is in Connecticut, its not even in Cleveland!"

That could be the detail that seals it. Or it could be the James camp once again trying not to tip their hand. But then Jared goes on:

"What I know is that Lebron is disappointed about not winning in Cleveland."

"Lebron loves New York more than any city and that is a fact."

Common perception is that Lebron is going to have a tough time winning in Cleveland with Bosh and Stoudemire now in the Eastern Conference. Most analysts believe that Lebron could choose to align with either the Knicks or the Heat due to the recent moves made by those teams. However, Jared Dudley drops another little gem that makes New York seem like the front runner.

"Next year Eddy Curry is off the books for $14 mill, and they will sign another good player."

When you combine New York City's grand stage with the fact that Lebron decided to start a Twitter account, new website, and launch a hour-long special in his name, it all begins to add up. The King just may be going to play under the lights of the media capital of the world.

Let's hear it for New York...

Schefter Reports Jamarcus Russell Arrested For Codeine

Did Jamarcus never hear of Pimp C or DJ Screw? They are two rappers who died of addiction to the syrup.

Maybe he was too busy listening to Lil Wayne's "my and my drank" on repeat. Either way, this explains a lot and Jamarcus is not out the NFL for good. I'd bet that the next place we see him is the IFL or your local Ihop.

"I'll be serving you today, my name is Jamarcus!"

Dwight Freeney: "I Can't Wait to Hit Tim Tebow"

"I'm licking my chops," Freeney said. "All these rookies coming out? They don't know anything. I can't wait."

"I couldn't wait to hit Mark Sanchez," he said. "And I can't wait to hit Tim Tebow even more."

In order to keep up with and take advantage of the green horned lads, while trying to break away from allowing the hands of time have their way with him, Freeney, who turned 30 this year, has been sleeping in a hyperbaric chamber and using an electric muscle stimulation machine.

As part of his aspiration to keep his nose to the grindstone and maintain his role on the cutting edge of elite status as a defensive end, the veteran has embraced state of the art technology.

Tebow was just entering his freshman year in high school, when Freeney took the NFL by storm his NFL rookie season with 13 sacks.

Freeney, who is 16 years removed from his high school freshman season, had 13.5 sacks last season.

Freeney was a four-sport letterman, baseball, basketball, football, and soccer, Freeney currently holds his high school sack record. Bloomfield High School retired his No. 44 Jersey.

At Syracuse, Freeney clocked a 4.42 40; he recorded a sack in 17 consecutive games.

Freeney has a lot of miles on the odometer...

The rest of the article is at this link. Enjoy...

Vincent Jackson to the Redskins

I've had a debate for a few days with one of my buddies about Vincent Jackson going to the Redskins. It went something like this.

"The Skins are getting Vincent Jackson."

"Stop making s**** up!"

As a lifelong Bronco fan, you may understand why I don't want to see the Skins make yet another great FA acquisition out of jealousy. (No, Im not happy with St. Tim!)

Anyways... if the Skins can pull this off that would be huge. They already have Santana Moss, Cooley, and Donovan McNabb as their passing core. Throwing VJ in will only make them more dangerous and allow Devin Thomas more time to develop before being counted on for big minutes. It's all a matter of if San Diego decides that Vince isn't worth big money, and if they are willing to part with him.

I'd say don't hold your breath Skins fans. But the NFL is becoming like the WWF.... anything can happen!